Neonatology has been of interest to me as a possible career goal. I am taking this opportunity to dive into the work that goes into being a neonatal nurse and the importance of these nurses. My driving question is: What is the role of a neonatal nurse and why are they important to the hospital. In researching I had to answer who neonatal nurses treat, what they treat, why only they have the experience to care for these people and their illnesses.
Sociologists often look at a nation's infant mortality (death of an infant between birth and one year of age) rate to determine that particular nation's general state of health (Elghobashi 1).
Infant death may result from a number of causes--stemming from congenital and environmental factors as well as poor diet and medical care--but premature birth is among the most common (Elghobashi 1).
Western countries that provide good health care programs have lower rates, between 4 and 15 per 1,000 births (Elghobashi 1).
Women who receive little or no prenatal medical care are at greater risk of complications during their pregnancies--both for themselves and for their babies (Elghobashi 1).
Premature infants need the special care provided by a neonatal intensive care unit where the baby is kept warm, fed, and protected in the proper environment (Elghobashi 2).
Neonatal jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia) is a higher-than-normal level of bilirubin in the blood (Neonatal jaundice 1).
It often lasts no more than eight days in normal births or around 14 days in premature births (Neonatal jaundice 1).
Infants with very high bilirubin levels may need medical treatment to prevent serious complications, such as mental retardation, hearing loss, behavior disorders, cerebral palsy, or death (Neonatal jaundice 1).
Gallstones, a blocked bile duct, or the use of drugs or alcohol can also cause jaundice (Neonatal jaundice 1).
In newborn infants, the liver and intestinal systems are immature and cannot excrete bilirubin as fast as the body produces it (Edgren 1).
Extremely high levels of bilirubin in infants may cause kernicterus, a form of brain damage (Edgren 1).
If bilirubin levels are extremely high, the infant may be treated with phototherapy--exposure of the baby's skin to fluorescent light. The bilirubin in the baby's skin absorbs the light and is changed to a substance that can be excreted in the urine (Edgren 2).
In rare cases, where bilirubin levels are extremely high, the baby may need to receive a blood transfusion (Edgren 2).
Perinatal infections are infections associated with the time period around the last half of pregnancy, during childbirth, and shortly thereafter; especially the period from five months before to one month after birth (Perinatal infections 1).
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can interfere with normal fetal development and can cause mental retardation, blindness, deafness, or epilepsy in these infants (Perinatal infections 1).
Women who have their first outbreak of genital herpes during pregnancy are at high risk of miscarriage or delivering a low birth weight baby (Perinatal infections 1).
Rubella infection during early pregnancy can pass through the placenta to the developing infant and cause serious birth defects including heart abnormalities, mental retardation, blindness, and deafness (Perinatal infections 2).
Most crucially, a neonate's health depends upon adequate nutrition (through mother's milk or formula) and successful respiratory functioning (Neonatal growth and development 1).
...Neonatology--the study of the growth, care, and diseases of newborns--is a growing medical subspecialty that has radically improved the survival rate of neonates who are born preterm or are underweight (Neonatal growth and development 1).
Incubators operate through devices attached to an infant's skin that monitor and control body temperature (Neonatal growth and development 2).
Ventilators can take over the respiratory function of a preterm baby (Neonatal growth and development 2).
The major cause of neonatal respiratory illness is hyaline membrane disease, a condition in which an infant's lungs are not sufficiently mature to manage ventilation and blood circulation (Neonatal growth and development 2).
Diseases relating to the lungs are the leading cause of death of neonates in the United States (Neonatal growth and development 2).
F. Gorman, Christine. "Born Too Soon: What can doctors--and parents--do about the alarming rise in the number of premature births?(Science/Health)." Time.164. 16 (Oct 18, 2004): 73. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Springfield Township High School. 8 Oct. 2009 [[http://find.galegroup.com/ovrc/infomark.do? &contentSet=IAC-Documents &type=retrieve &tabID=T003 &prodId=OVRC &docId=A123057812 &source=gale &srcprod=OVRC &userGroupName=erde79591 &version=1.0]].
If you have one baby, your chance of delivering prematurely is just over 10%, according to Dr. Charles Lockwood at Yale University, and your chance of delivering what is called a very preterm baby (one born before 32 weeks) is less than 2%. But if you have twins, the most recent federal data show, your chance of preterm delivery jumps to 58%, with a 12% chance of very early delivery. With triplets, you have almost no chance of reaching full term and a 60% chance of delivering before 32 weeks (Gorman 1).
Doctors have long known that smoking, uterine infection, high blood pressure and a prior history of preterm delivery also place an expectant mother at greater risk of delivering early (Gorman 1).
...factors, such as stress, diet (both before and after conception) and inflammation may also play a role (Gorman 1).
G."Providing Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care to All in Need." UNFPA. 2008. UNFPA.org. Oct 8, 2009. http://www.unfpa.org/help/terms.htm.
...five of the major causes of maternal mortality – haemorrhage, sepsis, unsafe abortion, hypertensive disorders and obstructed labour – can be treated at a well-staffed, well-equipped health facility (Providing Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care to All in Need 1)
In some areas where rapid access to such a facility is impossible, women spend the days or weeks before delivery in ‘waiting homes’ so that emergency obstetric care is readily accessible (Providing Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care to All in Need 1).
Basic emergency obstetric and newborn care, provided in health centres, large or small , includes the capabilities for: Administration of antibiotics, oxytocics, and anticonvulsants, Manual removal of the placenta, Removal of retained products following miscarriage or abortion, Assisted vaginal delivery, preferably with vacuum extractor,Newborn care. Comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care, typically delivered in district hospitals, includes all basic functions above, plus Caesarean section, safe blood transfusion and care to sick and low birthweight newborns, including resuscitation (Providing Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care to All in Need 1).
To manage obstetric complications — the life-saving component of maternity care — a facility must have at least two skilled attendants covering 24 hours a day and seven days a week, assisted by trained support staff (Providing Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care to All in Need 1).
Obstetrical emergencies are life-threatening medical conditions that occur in pregnancy or during or after labor and delivery (Ford-Martin 1).
Proper prenatal care is the best prevention for obstetrical emergencies (Ford-Martin 5).
When complications of pregnancy do arise, pregnant women who see their OB/GYN on a regular basis are more likely to get an early diagnosis, and with it, the best chance for fast and effective treatment (Ford-Martin 5).
...eating right and taking prenatal vitamins and supplements as recommended by a physician will also contribute to the health of both mother and child (Ford-Martin 5).
Neonatalintensivecare stays are among the most expensive types of hospitalizations.
Thesis:
After conducting my research I have come to the conclusion that pregnant women must have a healthy lifestyle, frequent vists to an obstetrician, and medical care during birth. If she doesn't the risk of birth defects and complecations for both mother and child are higher.
My initial thesis: Obstetricians care for women and their newborn during pregnancy, child birth, and postnatal and are an important unit in the hospital because without it women and children would be at risk for health problems.
Findings & Support for Findings:
1.It is important for pregnant women to visit their Obstetrican on a regular basis to ensure the health of themselves and their baby during pregnancy and childbirth.
a. Support: A4, A5, B3, C2, C4, G1, G3, H3
2. Premature babies are becoming more common and require the care of a Neonatologist.
a. Support: A2, A5, B2, E2, E3, E4
3. The mothers nutrition directly affects their baby during the pregnancy and birth.
a. Support: B4, D1,D2,D3,D4. E1, F2, F3, H4
4. Neonatology is costly.
a.
Process Reflection:
By conducting this research I learned a great deal. I learned that it is very important for pregnant women to visit their Obstetrican to make sure their pregnancy is coming along okay without complications. The earlier the complication is found the easier it is to treat whatever it may be. Premature births is quite common due to the mothers pour nutrition and bad habits. Another thing I learned is that jaundice is caused by high bilirubin levels in the blood. I need improve on my research by finding information on funding for neonatal facilities in hospitals. I did not know that premature births were common. I also did not know that neonatal hospital stays were one of the most expensive.
Connections to the Overall Project:
Now that I have collected this research I know what a neonatologist and obstetrician do. I know why they are important and how they can prevent serious problems during pregnancy, during birth, and after the birth. I also know that neonatal care is expensive and that it needs to be made affordable to all who need it. This will help me to move forward in my project because I now have a better understanding of what it is that these physicians do and how vital they are to pregnant women and their babies. Therefore funding for these facilities is a way for me to give to women and babies in need of their care.
A. Elghobashi, M. E. "Infant Mortality." Science and Its Times. Ed. Neil Schlager and Josh Lauer. Vol. 7. Detroit: Gale Group, 2001. Science Resource Center. Gale. 05 October 2009 http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC?ste=1&docNum=CV2643450813
B. "Neonatal jaundice." World of Health. Ed. Brigham Narins. Online. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2007. Science Resource Center. Gale. 05 October 2009 http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC?ste=1&docNum=CV2191500902
C. Edgren, Altha Roberts. "Neonatal jaundice." Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. 3rd ed. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2006. Science Resource Center. Gale. 05 October 2009 http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC?ste=1&docNum=CV2642413412
D. "Perinatal infections." World of Health. Ed. Brigham Narins. Online. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2007. Science Resource Center. Gale. 05 October 2009 http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC?ste=1&docNum=CV2191500986
- Perinatal infections are infections associated with the time period around the last half of pregnancy, during childbirth, and shortly thereafter; especially the period from five months before to one month after birth (Perinatal infections 1).
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can interfere with normal fetal development and can cause mental retardation, blindness, deafness, or epilepsy in these infants (Perinatal infections 1).
- Women who have their first outbreak of genital herpes during pregnancy are at high risk of miscarriage or delivering a low birth weight baby (Perinatal infections 1).
- Rubella infection during early pregnancy can pass through the placenta to the developing infant and cause serious birth defects including heart abnormalities, mental retardation, blindness, and deafness (Perinatal infections 2).
E. "Neonatal growth and development." World of Anatomy and Physiology. Online. Detroit: Gale, 2007. Science Resource Center. Gale. 07 October 2009 <http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC?ste=1&docNum=CV2430500279>F. Gorman, Christine. "Born Too Soon: What can doctors--and parents--do about the alarming rise in the number of premature births?(Science/Health)." Time. 164. 16 (Oct 18, 2004): 73. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Springfield Township High School. 8 Oct. 2009 [[http://find.galegroup.com/ovrc/infomark.do? &contentSet=IAC-Documents &type=retrieve &tabID=T003 &prodId=OVRC &docId=A123057812 &source=gale &srcprod=OVRC &userGroupName=erde79591 &version=1.0]].
- If you have one baby, your chance of delivering prematurely is just over 10%, according to Dr. Charles Lockwood at Yale University, and your chance of delivering what is called a very preterm baby (one born before 32 weeks) is less than 2%. But if you have twins, the most recent federal data show, your chance of preterm delivery jumps to 58%, with a 12% chance of very early delivery. With triplets, you have almost no chance of reaching full term and a 60% chance of delivering before 32 weeks (Gorman 1).
- Doctors have long known that smoking, uterine infection, high blood pressure and a prior history of preterm delivery also place an expectant mother at greater risk of delivering early (Gorman 1).
- ...factors, such as stress, diet (both before and after conception) and inflammation may also play a role (Gorman 1).
G."Providing Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care to All in Need." UNFPA. 2008. UNFPA.org. Oct 8, 2009. http://www.unfpa.org/help/terms.htm.- ...five of the major causes of maternal mortality – haemorrhage, sepsis, unsafe abortion, hypertensive disorders and obstructed labour – can be treated at a well-staffed, well-equipped health facility (Providing Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care to All in Need 1)
- In some areas where rapid access to such a facility is impossible, women spend the days or weeks before delivery in ‘waiting homes’ so that emergency obstetric care is readily accessible (Providing Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care to All in Need 1).
- Basic emergency obstetric and newborn care, provided in health centres, large or small , includes the capabilities for: Administration of antibiotics, oxytocics, and anticonvulsants, Manual removal of the placenta, Removal of retained products following miscarriage or abortion, Assisted vaginal delivery, preferably with vacuum extractor,Newborn care. Comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care, typically delivered in district hospitals, includes all basic functions above, plus Caesarean section, safe blood transfusion and care to sick and low birthweight newborns, including resuscitation (Providing Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care to All in Need 1).
- To manage obstetric complications — the life-saving component of maternity care — a facility must have at least two skilled attendants covering 24 hours a day and seven days a week, assisted by trained support staff (Providing Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care to All in Need 1).
H. Ford-Martin, Paula Anne. "Obstetrical emergencies." Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. 3rd ed. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2006. Science Resource Center. Gale. 05 October 2009 http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC?ste=1&docNum=CV2642413441 .- Obstetrical emergencies are life-threatening medical conditions that occur in pregnancy or during or after labor and delivery (Ford-Martin 1).
- Proper prenatal care is the best prevention for obstetrical emergencies (Ford-Martin 5).
- When complications of pregnancy do arise, pregnant women who see their OB/GYN on a regular basis are more likely to get an early diagnosis, and with it, the best chance for fast and effective treatment (Ford-Martin 5).
- ...eating right and taking prenatal vitamins and supplements as recommended by a physician will also contribute to the health of both mother and child (Ford-Martin 5).
I.http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/103/1/SE1/329Thesis:
After conducting my research I have come to the conclusion that pregnant women must have a healthy lifestyle, frequent vists to an obstetrician, and medical care during birth. If she doesn't the risk of birth defects and complecations for both mother and child are higher.
My initial thesis: Obstetricians care for women and their newborn during pregnancy, child birth, and postnatal and are an important unit in the hospital because without it women and children would be at risk for health problems.
Findings & Support for Findings:
1.It is important for pregnant women to visit their Obstetrican on a regular basis to ensure the health of themselves and their baby during pregnancy and childbirth.
a. Support: A4, A5, B3, C2, C4, G1, G3, H3
2. Premature babies are becoming more common and require the care of a Neonatologist.
a. Support: A2, A5, B2, E2, E3, E4
3. The mothers nutrition directly affects their baby during the pregnancy and birth.
a. Support: B4, D1,D2,D3,D4. E1, F2, F3, H4
4. Neonatology is costly.
a.
Process Reflection:
By conducting this research I learned a great deal. I learned that it is very important for pregnant women to visit their Obstetrican to make sure their pregnancy is coming along okay without complications. The earlier the complication is found the easier it is to treat whatever it may be. Premature births is quite common due to the mothers pour nutrition and bad habits. Another thing I learned is that jaundice is caused by high bilirubin levels in the blood. I need improve on my research by finding information on funding for neonatal facilities in hospitals. I did not know that premature births were common. I also did not know that neonatal hospital stays were one of the most expensive.
Connections to the Overall Project:
Now that I have collected this research I know what a neonatologist and obstetrician do. I know why they are important and how they can prevent serious problems during pregnancy, during birth, and after the birth. I also know that neonatal care is expensive and that it needs to be made affordable to all who need it. This will help me to move forward in my project because I now have a better understanding of what it is that these physicians do and how vital they are to pregnant women and their babies. Therefore funding for these facilities is a way for me to give to women and babies in need of their care.